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Sign in front with gate closed says “closed to motorized vehicles April-October”
Look closely at the ground you will find evidence of the vast inland sea that once covered the Tumey Hills. The light porous rocks are composed of diatoms, the tiny, bleached, shell-like skeletons of sea algae. Annual grasslands are lovely in springtime, with beautiful wildflower displays. Rarely seen federally-protected San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, and giant kangaroo rats make their homes in these hills. Visitors enjoy a day use facility with parking, shade structures, picnic benches, vault toilets and an interpretive kiosk with a map and information about the area.
Scout
The nature minder people closed this down and Panoche hills down due to environmental concerns regarding the decrease in population of a lizard.
Scout
Private property, you can't even go through the road
TravelerThis was such a beautiful spot. It had the greenest hills. It was very peaceful at night. There were people shooting in the morning. But overall the spot was really nice for one night.
ScoutAnother beautiful spot ruined by people who can’t pickup after themselves
GuideI couldn’t really identify this place as a campground. It is a shooting range. If you’re in to target practice you’d give it a five. It’s fairly desolate, a port-a-potty, (bring your own TP) and sparse camping spots. One picnic table sat in a day use area, and that gravel parking area is where we set up. It was perfectly flat and level. We didn’t even unhook the trailer. Pack it in and out as there are no services at all other than the potty. The three mile road in from I-5 is paved half way and well-graded dirt the rest. After the shooting stopped, about 8:30 PM, it was amazingly quiet. For us, needing only a stop-over, it was perfect.
GuideGun range, lots of people shooting. Wouldn't be my first choice. Easy overnight spot.
GuideEasy overnight BLM spot, we stayed overnight on the way to San Jose - easy to navigate, find & park.
Close by amenities gas stations, mcdonald’s & freeway about 10 mins out
LegendThis is a trail camp in the Ventana Wilderness along the Carmel River Trail. The trailhead and parking lot is at the Los Padres Dam. The trail is pretty easy to follow, but crosses the river/creek extremely frequently. I had to cross the river about 50 times in a weekend in an out & back trip.
This is backcountry backpacking, so:
So potable water - bring a filter
Pack in pack out trash
Fires may be restricted
No restrooms or other facilities
Lots of poison oak
Trail may be impassable at some points
I got in Friday afternoon so could only hike a few miles before dark. The Bluff camp was the first real trail camp along the trail, but there are several more further on
Here is the trail info:
http://www.ventanawild.org/trails/ventana-wilderness-trails/carmel-river-trail
Here is an interactive Map: http://bigsurtrailmap.net/interactivemap.html?latlon=36.0898,-121.5651&zoom=11&bkgmap=USGS+Quad+%2BWilderness&mode=trailmap&control=0
Legend
This was one of the most beautiful backpacking hikes I've ever done, but also one of the more challenging ones to do in one day.
Camping at the top was spectacular. The sunset was one of the best I have ever seen. There is an old outpost at the top that someone else was sleeping at to provide shelter for the wind (it was pretty vicious). The hike down was much, much easier.
Obviously this is back country camping, so
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Paicines, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Paicines, CA is Tumey Hills Box Canyon with a 4-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Paicines, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Paicines, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
